Noctisardor Bypass Life, Death, Religion, Survival

The woman didn’t go anywhere. Druid didn’t know what she’d expected. Like Etienne and even Anselm, Fiona didn’t owe them anything, nor did she have any particularly strong ties to either Den Mother. But she offered her help willingly and Druid was in no position to deny it, especially now.

I think I need a minute, she said in reply to the healer’s question, back still braced against the onslaught of pain, clarifying pain.

She focused on steadying her breathing. She felt a little lightheaded and instinctively crouched, letting her head drop. Druid shut her eyes, then opened them and saw her own bloodied teeth scattered on the ground close by.

My bones shall rest in this loam forever, she whispered to herself, suddenly fully aware that Witch not only wasn’t here now, she hadn’t been here in years.